3D Printing With Bacteria-Loaded Inc. Produces Bone-Like Composites .

Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) developed a novel 3D printing technique that uses an ink containing mineralizing bacteria (Sporosarcina pasteurii) to create bone-like biocomposites. The bacterial “BactoInk” is extruded into desired shapes and then triggers a mineralization process that produces a strong, lightweight, and resilient material with high mineral content, similar to natural bone. The printed structures are formed at typical 3D printing conditions without extreme heat, and the final products no longer contain living bacteria after processing. This environmentally friendly method could have future applications in biomedical engineering, materials science, and tissue repair, offering a new path for creating bone-mimicking composites.